[CR]Re: eBay shipping trend

(Example: Books:Ron Kitching)

Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 13:45:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: <wheelman@nac.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: eBay shipping trend

I have tried to be good about shipping cost when I sold things on ebay. I have found that if I try to guess the shipping cost using the calculators I wind up either losing or gaining some money. What is worse is that you get 20 questions from all corners of the globe asking for shipping cost even when you give your zip code and weight. I just don't have that kind of time to do the numbers for all who ask. Worse yet is if you do calculate it for someone and they win the bid they expect that you remember that exact cost you quoted them. Like I keep a ledger of each email I send out with each ebay name. I always got into trouble because I asked for a buck or two more than the calculator says. Some are good about it while others want their change to the penny. I solved my dilemma a while back. I quoute a flat charge for shipping domestically and that is that. If you want to bid then you know what the deal is, if you think the shipping is to high then you just don't bid. No hassles for me and no confusion for the customer. Anyone who thinks it is unreasonable to charge for your effort to pack and ship a bike has not done many themselves. After you have done a few you quickly see why someone would add a few bucks to cover supplies and time. When I pack a bike it is virtually bomb proof. I have had a lot of complements on my packing and even one good natured complaint. The complaint was that it took the person almost an hour to get the bike unpacked because of all the padding and zip ties I used. This is an expense but one that is far better than having the dreded call that a bike was damaged in shipment. Of all the bikes I have shipped (and that is quite a bit) I have never had ONE complaint on damage. I wish I could say the same for bikes that have been shipped to me.

Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ